Stop watch control mechanism



Much 20, 1934. w. J. BoRsT Y 1,951,391

STOP WATCH CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec.`2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l TIE-1 Wl TNES.

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March 20, 1934. i w. J. BoRsT 1,951,391

STOP WATCH CONTROL MEGHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2. 1932 TIE-5 4%;

BY wmvesa. W RNEY Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITE STATES STOP WATCH CONTROL IVIECHANISM Walter J. Borst, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 2, 1932, Serial No. 645,377

16 Claims.

This invention relates to stop watch control mechanism, and the object is to provide a device for mounting and controlling a pair of stop watches for use in connection with time study Work. The device is also useful for timing athletic games such as football and basket ball games where the actual playing time is frequently interrupted by time out" periods.

Heretofore it has been customary. when making a time study of the various operations of a certain manufacturing process, to employ a single stop watch and record the reading thereof at the end of each operation. According to one method the watch is returnedto zero after each 16 reading.. The readings taken then represent the elapsed timeufor each operation separately. According to another method the watch is. allowed to run continuously, in which case the readings represent the total elapsed time from-the begin- 20 ning of the process to the end of each operation.

The time for each operation then is the difierence between the readings taken at the beginning and at the end of that operation. In both cases it is necessary to read the watch while it is 26 running, a task not free from difiiculty to do with any degree of accuracy and, when engaged in for long periods of time, a very tedious one. The readings, therefore, even though taken by a. care ful operator are never free from considerable 30 error, and when the operations being timed are of only a few seconds duration the percentage of error is likely to be too great to make the results obtained of any value. The taking of readings according to the second method is probably the less fatiguing, but requires the additional labor of having to subtract each reading from the subsequent one to determine the time of each operation, which practically doubles the amount of labor involved to obtain a given set of results.

With my improved control device employing two stop watches, the making of time studies becomes a relatively simple one, and the main cause of error in the old methods, namely that of havlng to take readings While the watch is running, is entirely eliminated. Each reading is taken while the hand of the Watch being read is stopped; and each reading represents the actual elapsed time of one operation. No subtractions need be made.

My improved control device comprises a pair of push buttons, one for each of two watches, with control connections between the two watches such that when one push button is operated one watch will be brought back to zero, if it is not on zero, 55 andstmed, and the other watch will be stopped.

vWhen the other push button is operated. the nrst watch will be stopped and the other watch will b e returned to zero and started. T0 time the different operations in a manufacturing process. it is merely necessary to keep an eye'on the man or eo machine, and at the termination o f one opera.- tion, press one button. This' stops the watch timing that operation in the process and starts the other Watch from zero whichwill time the second operation. The time study man may then more or less at his leisure read the watch which timed the iirst operation. Since the hand of this watch is stationary, an accurate reading will be obtained. At the termination'of the second operation, the other button is pressed which stops 7G the second watch, returns the first watch back to zero and starts it again. The second watch may then be read while the first watch is timing the third operation. -1

It should be particularly noted that it isv not necessary for the time study man totake'his eye off the machine or man at theinstant of 'completion of each operation to take a reading at that time, as is necessary when followingthe methods mentioned above. With my'device, the time study man may follow the man or machine through one operation toits full completion, and observe the start of the next operation. This not only makes for greater accuracy in obtaining each reading, but also makes the task less iatiguing.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for mounting and controlling a pair of stop watches for use in connection with the making of delayed time studies. When timing the different operations of a process which may be inf terrupted at times, it is often desirable to time the delays andalso the actual time of the process, For this purpose Iv provide a third push button so related to the mechanism of the device that it functions to stop one watch and to start the other watch from the .position in which it is at that time. That is, pressing this third button produces the same result as pressing one of the other buttons except that the one Watch is not returned to zero. By pressing Vthis third button one of the watches on which the actual time of the operation will be vrecorded is Started. When a delay is encountered, one of the other buttons f is pressed. This stops the watch recording the time o f the operation and returns the other watch to zero, if not on zero, and starts it, thus timing the period of delay. When the operation is resumed, the third button is 4pressed. to start the iirst watch again fromthe position Where it .was 110 ton 11 are transmitted to lever .22. The third.

stopped to resume the timing of the operation and to stop the other watch. 'Ihe latter watch on which the period of delay has been recorded may then be read at leisure.

My invention is also especially adapted for timing games which are played for a definite period of time as football, basket ball, etc., which are frequently interrupted by time out" periods. With my device the actual playlng'time can be recorded on one watch and the time out" periods on the other, similar to the recording of the time of an operation and of the interruptions as described above.

The construction and operationof a preferred embodiment of my invention is ldescribed in the following specification. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is an enlarged plan view of the device with the watches omitted, for better illustration of the control mechanism;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is-a plan view of the device mounted on the top of a board suitable for holding tabulating sheets. 'I'he watches are shown in position. Part of the cover for the device is broken away to show the mechanism below.

The device has been designed particularly for stop watches ofthe type having a slide on one side which controls the starting and stopping of the watch and in which the hands are brought back to zero by pressing the stem. The mechanism is mounted on a base 2 on which are positioned two sets of clips 3, 4, 5 forming watch position a for receiving watch A, and 6, 7, 8 forming watch position b for receiving watch B. The control mechanism includes two Ashifters in the form of push buttons 10 and l1 disposed opposite watch positions a and b, re-

spectively.4 Push buttons 10 and 11 are fixed to the ends of arm's or plungers l0' and 11', respectively, which are slidably positioned between guides 12 and guides 13. At their inner ends plungers 10 and 1l are each provided with a triangular slot 14.

An L-shaped lever 15 is pivotally mounted on the base 2 in the center of watch position a". The arm 16 of this lever is provided with an upturned portion 17 at its outer end having a slot 18 therein in which the slide 19 of watch A is received. Slide 19 governs the starting and stopping of the watch. The other arm 20 of lever 15 is provided with a pin 21 which extends into the slot 14, through which the movements of push button 10 are transmitted to lever 15.

A T-shaped lever 22 is pivoted on the base 2 in the center of watch position b, The arm 23 of this lever corresponds to arm 17 of lever 15 and is similarly provided with an upturned portion 17' at its end having a slot 18 in which is received the slide 19 of watch B. Slide 19' governs the starting and stopping of watch B. Arm 24 of lever 22 corresponds to arm 20 of lever 15 and is similarly provided with a pin' 25 at its outer end which extends into the slot 14 of plunger 11 through which the movements of push butarm 26 of lever 22 is connected to the end of arm 20 of lever 15 by means of a' link 27. 'I'he pin 21 at the end of arm 20 is utilized to make the pivotal connection between link 27 and the arm. A third push button 28 is provided on the extended end of link 27.

From the above it will be seen that when push button 10 is pushed downwardly with the parts in the position shown in full lines in Fig.l, lever 15 will be rotated clockwise andlevcr 22 will be rotated counter-clockwise to the position shown in dotted lines in this gure. If, then, either button 11 or 28 is depressed, the levers l5 and 22 will be moved back to the position shown in full lines. When levers l5 and 22 are in the position shown in full lines, pin 2l is disposed in the upper left hand corner of slot 14 in plunger 10 and pin 25 is disposed in the lower corner of slot 14 in plunger 11'. Pressing button 10 causes pin 21, in the rotation of lever 1 5, to move into the upper right hand corner of slot 14 in plunger 10', and when the button 10 returns to its normal position, plunger l0' moves upwardly without affecting the position of the lever 15 by reason of pin 2l being received in the lower corner of slot 14 in the plunger 10'. When lever 22 is rocked to the dotted line position, pin 25 moves from the lower corner of slot 14 in plunger 11' to the left hand upper corner thereof.

When levers 15 and 22 are in the position shown in full lines, slide 19 of watch A will be in the stop position whereas slide 19 of watch B will be in the go" position. In other words, watch B will be running, whereas watch A will not be running. When the levers are in the position shown in dotted lines, watch A will be running and watch B will not be running.

The return of the watches to zero, which is accomplished by pressing the stem of the watches, is controlled by a pair of arms 30 and 3l which are pivotally mounted on the base 2 at 32 and 33, respectively. At their free ends arms 30 and 31 are pivotedat 34 and 35 to plungers 10 and 11', 110 respectively. Arms 30 and 31 are provided with upstanding bent portions 36 in which are mounted set screws 37 which' are adapted to contact the end of the stems of the watches. Set screws 37 are held in adjusted position by lock nuts 38. By 115 yreason of this connection with push buttons l0 and 11, whenever push button 10 is depressed not only is watch A set for running by the movement of its slide 19 to the running position, but by'reason of the stem thereof being depressed, 120 it is returned to zero so that when the pressure on button 10 is released, watch A starts running from zero. Similarly, when button 11 is depressed not only is watch B set for running by the movement of its slide 19 to the running position, but by reason of its stem being depressed, it is returned to zero asv a result of which when pressure is released from the button 11 watch B commences running from zero.

' For maintaining push buttons l0 and 11 in their rnormal positions springs 39 are provided, these being anchored to lugs 39' provided on base 2, and to arms 30 and 31, respectively. Springs 39 yieldingly hold arms 30 against stops 30' provided on base 2.

Preferably the control mechanism is mounted on` a board 40 of convenient size for receiving tabulation sheets 4l. A paper clip 42 isprovided on board 40 for holding the sheets 4l in position. The control mechanism is fastened to the top ot the board 40by means of screws 43, ho-les 44 in base 2 being provided for receiving them. The mechanism is enclosed by a cover 45, having slots in its sides at the proper places for receiving push buttons 10, ll and 28, and having openings in its top above the faces of the watches. The cover is removably held in position by means of wing clips 46 pivotally mounted on board 40 by means of screws 47. Clips 46 are 150 positioned to engage over lugs 46 extending laterally from the sides of the cover 45.

In the use of my device for timing the various operations of a manufacturing process the time study man follows this procedure: At the commencement of the first operation of the process, he presses push button 10. This returns watch A to zero, if it is not in that position at the time, and starts it.v Watch A is now timing the first operation. At the end of this operation, the time study man presses push button 11. This stops watch A, and returns watch B to zero, if it is not in that position, and starts it. Watch B is now timing the second operation and during this time, the time study man may more or less at leisure read watch A. At the termination of the second operation, push button l0 is pressed, stopping watch B, Yreturning watch A to zero and starting it to time the third operation. While the third operation is in progress, the time study man reads watch B.

When timing operations interrupted by certain delays, or when using the device for timing a. football game, for example, watch B may be used to record the total actual time of the operation or the playing time, and watch A the delays or time out periods. At the start of the operation or at the start of the play, push button l1 is pressed, starting watch B from zero. When a delay occurs, or time out is called, push button 10 is pressed, stopping watch B and starting watch A from zero. When the progress of the operation or play is resumed, push button 28 is` pressed. This stops watch A and starts watch B from the point of its previously stopped position. Therefore, watch B resumes the timing of the operation or the play. The duration of the delay, or of the time out period, is recorded on watch A. In using the device for either of these latter purposes, it should be noted that while push button 1l is used to start the timing at the commencement ofthe operation, or of the game, thereafter only push buttons 10 and 28 are used, push button 10 at the commencement of a delay, or of a time out" period, and push button 28 when the operation or play is resumed.

I claim:-

1. The combination with two stop watches each having a first control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of a control device therefor comprising a. pair of push buttons and connections between said push buttons and the control members of said watches arranged so that when one of said push buttons is pressed, the second co-ntrol members of the watches are operated in opposite directions, and the rst control member of one watch is operated to return the hand thereof to zero, and when the other o-f said push buttons is pressed, the second control members of the watches are returned to their former position.

2. The combination with two stop watches each having a rst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of a control device therefor comprising a pair of push buttons and connections between said push buttons and the control members of said watches arranged so that when one of said push buttons is pressed, the second control members of the watches are operated in opposite directions, and the rst control member of one watch is operated to return the hand thereof to zero, and when the other of said push buttons is pressed, the second control members of the `watches are returned to their former position, and the rst ,control member of the other watch is operated to return the hand thereof to zero;

3. The combination with two stop watches each having a flrst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of a control device therefor comprising a button, means responsive to the operation of said button for shifting the second control member of one watch to running position, the rst control member of the same watch to return the hand to zero, and the second control member ,of the other watch to stop position, and a second button for reversing the position of the second control members of the watches.

4. The combination with two stop watches each having a first control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of a control device therefor comprising a push button operatively related to the first control member of one watch whereby the operation of said push button will return the hand of said one watch to zero, a movable interconnection between the second control members for moving the members in opposite directions, means associated with said push button for moving said interconnection in one direction, and a second push button for moving said interconnection in the opposite direction.

5. The combination with two stop watches each having a first control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for startingandstopping the watch,of a control device therefor comprising a base, means thereon for mountingsaidstop watches, a pair of levers movablymountedon said base for actuating said second control members, respectively, means interconnecting said levers whereby the latter are operated in opposite directions, a pair of plungers slidably mounted on said base, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on said base and to said plungers, respectively, said arms being associated with said rst control members, respectively, whereby the movement of said plungers actuate said first control members, respectively, means for transmitting the movement of one of said plungers to said levers to cause said levers to shift one of said the other of said second control members to stopping position when said plunger is moved, and means for transmitting the movement of the other plunger to said levers to cause said levers to shift said one of said second control members to stopping position and the other of said second control members to starting position when said other plunger is moved.

6. The combination with two stop watches, each having a slide at one side for controlling the starting and stopping of the watch, and a depressible stem for returning the hand to zero, of a device for counting and controlling said watches, said device comprising a base, means for mounting said watches on said base in spaced relation, a control mechanism for each watch comprising a plunger slidably mounted on the base` an arm pivoted to the base and tothe plunger, a set screw carried by the arm for contact with the stem of the watch, an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on the base, one arm of said lever having a slotted portion engaging the slide of the watch, a pin on the second arm of the lever engaging in a triangularb' shaped slot provided in the end of the second control members to starting position and plunger whereby movement of the plunger out of its normal position causes said lever to be rotated in one direction.'l the return of the plunger to its normal position does not cause said lever to be rotated in the opposite direction, and said lever may be rotated in the opposite direction independently of the plunger when the plunger is in its normal position, and means connecting said levers whereby when one lever is moved in one direction the other lever is moved in the opposite direction.

7. The combination with two stop watches, each having a slide at one side for controlling Ythe starting and stopping of the watch. and a. depressible stem for returning the hand to zero, of a device for mounting and controlling said watches, said device comprising a base, means for mounting said watches on said base in spaced relation,

la control mechanism for each watch comprising a plunger slidably mounted on the base, an arm pivoted to the base and to the plunger, a set screw carried by the arm for contact with the stem of the watch, an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on the base, one arm of said lever having a slotted portion engaging the slide of the watch, a pin on the second arm of the lever engaging in a triangularly shaped slot provided in the end of the vplunger whereby movement of the plunger out of its normal position causes said lever to be rotated in one direction, the return of the plunger to its normal position does not cause said lever to be rotated in the opposite direction, and said lever may be rotated in the opposite direction independently of the plunger when said plunger is in its normal position, a third arm on one lever extending oppositely from the second arm and a link connecting said third arm with the second arm of the other lever.

8. The combination with two stop watches,-

each having a slide at one side for controlling the starting and stopping oi the watch, and a depressible stem for returning the hand to zero, of a device for mounting and controlling said watches, said device comprising a base, means for mounting said watches on said base in spaced relation, a control mechanism for each watch comprising alplunger slidably mounted on the base. means for transmitting the movement of the plunger out of its normal position tothe stem of the watch, a two armed lever pivotally mounted on the base, the first arm engaging the slide of the watch, a pin on the second arm of the lever engaging in a right triangularly shaped slot provided in the end of the plunger, the hypotenuse of which is disposed tangent to the path of movement of said pin when the plunger is in its normal position, whereby movement of the plunger out of its normal position causes said lever to be `rotated in one direction, the return of the plunger to its normal position does not cause said lever to be rotated in the opposite direction, and said lever may be rotated in the opposite direction independently of the plunger when the plunger is in its normal position, and means connecting said levers whereby when one lever is moved in one direction the other lever is moved in the opposite direction.

9. The combination with two stop watches. each having a slide at one side for controlling the starting and stopping of the watch, and. a depressible sternv for returning the hand to'zero, of a device for mounting and controlling said watches, said device comprising a base, means for mounting said watches on said base in spaced relation. a control mechanism for each 'watch comprising `a plunger slidably mounted on the base, means for transmitting the movement of the plunger out of its normal position to the stem of the watch. a two armed lever pivotally mounted on the base, the first arm engaging the slide of the watch, a pin on the second arm of the lever engaging in a right triangularly shaped slot provided in the end of the plunger, the hypotenuse of which is disposed tangent to the path of m vement of 'said pin when the plunger is in its normal position, whereby movement of the plunger out of its normal position causes said lever to be rotated in one direction, the return of kthe plunger to its normal position does not cause said lever to be rotated in the opposite direction, and said lever may be rotated in the opposite direction independently of the plunger when the plunger is in its normal position, means connecting said levers whereby when one lever is moved in one direction the other lever is moved in the opposite direction,- and means for operating' said levers independently of both plungers when the latter are in'their normal positions.l

10. The combination with two stop watches each having a first control member for returning the hand to zero and `a. second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of a control device therefor comprising a shifter, .means responsive to the operation of said shifter for shifting the second control member of one watch to running position, the first control member of the same watch to return thelhand to zero, and the second control member of the other watch to stop position, and means for reversing the position of the second control members of the watches. Y

1l. The combination' with two stop watches each having a rst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member for starting and stopping the watch, of'a control device' therefor comprising a shifter, means responsive to the operation of said shifter for shifting the second control member of one watch to running position, the nrst control member of the same watch to return the hand to zero, and the second control member of the other watch to stop position, and means for reversing the position of the second control members of the watches and for sluiting the nrst controlmember of the other watch to return the hand to zero.

12. A control device for a stop watch having,

a ilrst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member shiftable into one position to start the watch and into another position to stop the watch, comprising a button, means actuated by pressing said button for shifting the tlrst control member to return the hand to zero, a lever for shifting said second control member from stopping position to starting position, and a lost motion connection between said button and lsaid lever whereby operation of said button shifts said lever from stopping posltion to starting position, said lost motion connection permitting said vlever to remain in starting position when said button is returned to its normal position, and separate means'fo'r returning said lever to stopping position.

13. A device for mounting and controlling a stop watch having a nrst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member shiftable into one position to start the watch and into another position to stop the watch, comprising a base for mounting the watch,

a shifter movably supported on the base, means for transmitting the movement of said Sluiteroutofitsnormalpositiontotheiirstcontrol member of the watch. a lever'pivotally moimted on the base and engaging the shifter, an armon saidlever,apinononeof saidarmsengaging in a substantially right triangularly shaped slot provided in the other arm. the lLvpotenuse of which is substantially perpendicular to a line connecting said pin when the shifter is in its normal position and the point of pivotal connection of said lever on said base, whereby movement of the shifter out of its normal position causes said lever to be rotated in one direction, the return of the shifter to its normal position does not cause said lever to be rotated in the opposite direction and said lever may be rotated in the opposite direction independently of the shifter when the shifter is in its normal position, and separate means for rotating said lever in the opposite direction.

14. A control device for a stop watch having a rst control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member shiftable into one position to start the watch and into another position to stop the watch, comprising a shifter for shifting the iirst control member of the watch to return the hand to zero, r lever for shifting the second control member, and a lod motion connection between said shifter and said lever whereby movement of said shifter in one direction shifts said lever from one position to the other, said lost motion connection permitting said leshifter is moved separate means for returning former position.

second control `memberoi!thewateh.anarmonsaid 15. Acontroldeviceforastopwatchhavinga ilrst control member for the hand to control member shiftable into start the watch and into another position to stop the watch, comprising a shifter, a lever for shifting the rst control member of the watch to return the hand to zero, a second lever for shifting said second control member from one position to the other, and operative connections between said shifter and said levers, the connection between said sh'fiter and one of said levers comprising a lost motion connection whereby movement of said shifter in one direction causes said one lever to be moved to a certain position but movement of said shifter in the opposi direction does not aifect the position of said one lever, and separate means for returning said one lever to its former position.

16. A device for mounting and controlling a pair of stop watches each having a control member for returning the hand to zero and a second control member shiftable into one position to start the watch and into another position to stop the watch, comprising a lever system for simultaneously shifting the second control members of the watches to opposite positions, a shifter connected with said lever system for actuating the latter, and means operatively connected with said shifter for shifting the iirst control member of one watch to return the hand thereof to zero responsive to the movement of said shifter in one direction.

WALTER J. BORST. 

